Joshua the High Priest
High Priest of the Returned Exiles
Name Information
- Meaning: "The Lord is salvation"
- Language of Origin: Hebrew
- Gender Usage: Masculine
Joshua the son of Jehozadak served as high priest when the Jewish exiles returned from Babylon. Alongside Zerubbabel, he led the rebuilding of the temple and the restoration of proper worship. In Zechariah’s visions, Joshua’s cleansing symbolized God’s forgiveness of His people.
⏰ Post-exilic period (6th century BC)
Roles
- High Priest
Relationships
- Co-worker: Zerubbabel
Story
Returned from Babylon with Zerubbabel under Cyrus’s decree.
Led in rebuilding the altar to offer sacrifices to God before the temple was finished.
Worked with Zerubbabel to rebuild the temple after prophetic encouragement.
In Zechariah’s vision, was accused by Satan but cleansed and clothed by God.
Spiritual Significance
- Served as high priest for the first generation after the exile.
- Helped rebuild the altar and temple in Jerusalem.
- Was a key figure in restoring worship to God.
- In Zechariah’s vision, was cleansed and given new clothes — a sign of God’s grace.
Christ Connection
Joshua’s name, meaning 'The Lord is salvation,' is the same as Jesus’ in Hebrew (Yeshua).
His cleansing in Zechariah 3 foreshadows Christ’s work in clothing believers with His righteousness.
What We Can Learn
- God cleanses His servants for His work.
- Spiritual leadership requires both worship and obedience.
- God’s grace overcomes Satan’s accusations.
Memory Verses
See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put fine garments on you.
— Zechariah 3:4
Key Passages
- Ezra 3:2
- Haggai 1–2
- Zechariah 3
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